|
|
|
Prednisone |
|
|
What is Prednisone and why is it prescribed? Prednisone is a steroid drug used to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms in a variety of disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and severe cases of asthma. Prednisone may be given to treat primary or secondary adrenal cortex insufficiency. Prednisone is used in treating all of the following: Abnormal adrenal gland development, Allergic conditions (severe), Blood disorders, Certain cancers (along with other drugs), Diseases of the connective tissue including systemic lupus erythematosus, Eye diseases of various kinds, Flare-ups of multiple sclerosis, Fluid retention due to "nephrotic syndrome", Lung diseases (including tuberculosis), Meningitis, Prevention of organ rejection, Rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders, Severe flare-ups of ulcerative colitis or enteritis, Skin diseases, Thyroid gland inflammation, and Trichinosis (with complications). Prednisone lowers your resistance to infections and can make them harder to treat. Prednisone may also mask some of the signs of an infection, making it difficult for your doctor to diagnose the actual problem. How should you take Prednisone? Follow your doctors directions for taking Prednisone. Dosages are kept to an absolute minimum. If you need long-term Prednisone treatment, your doctor may prescribe alternate-day therapy, in which you take the medication only every other morning. The "resting day" gives your adrenal glands a chance to produce some hormone naturally so they will not lose the ability. If you have been taking Prednisone for a period of time, you will probably need an increased dosage of the medication before, during, and after any stressful situation. Always consult your doctor if you are anticipating stress and think you may need a temporary dosage increase. When stopping Prednisone treatment, tapering off is better than quitting abruptly. Your doctor will probably have you decrease the dosage very gradually over a period of days or weeks. You should take Prednisone with food to avoid upset stomach. If you are on alternate-day therapy or have been prescribed a single daily dose, take Prednisone in the morning with breakfast (about 8 AM). If you have been prescribed several doses per day, take them at evenly spaced intervals around the clock. Patients on long-term Prednisone therapy should wear or carry identification. If you miss a dose and you take your dose once a day, take it as soon as you remember. If you don't remember until the next day, skip the one you missed. If you take several doses a day, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember and then go back to your regular schedule. If you don't remember until your next dose, double the dose you take. If you take your dose every other day, and you remember it the same morning, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular schedule. If you don't remember until the afternoon, do not take a dose until the following morning, then skip a day. Store Prednisone at room temperature. Are there any Prednisone side effects? Prednisone side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Prednisone may cause euphoria, insomnia, mood changes, personality changes, psychotic behavior, or severe depression. It may worsen any existing emotional instability. At a high dosage, Prednisone may cause fluid retention and high blood pressure. If this happens, you may need a low-salt diet and a potassium supplement. With prolonged Prednisone treatment, eye problems may develop. If you take Prednisone over the long term, the buildup of adrenal hormones in your body may cause a condition called Cushing's syndrome. Women are more vulnerable to this problem than men. Alternate-day therapy may help prevent its development. Other potential Prednisone side effects include bone fractures, bruising, bulging eyes, congestive heart failure, convulsions, distended abdomen, face redness, glaucoma, headache, hives and other allergic-type reactions, increased pressure inside eyes or skull, inflamed esophagus or pancreas, irregular menstrual periods, muscle weakness or disease, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, poor healing of wounds, stunted growth (in children), sweating, thin, fragile skin, and vertigo. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Prednisone? If Prednisone is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Prednisone may decrease your carbohydrate tolerance or activate a latent case of diabetes. If you are already taking insulin or oral medication for diabetes, make sure your doctor knows this. You may need an increased dosage while you are being treated with Prednisone. If you have a blood-clotting disorder caused by a vitamin K deficiency and are taking Prednisone, check with your doctor before you use aspirin. You may be at risk of convulsions if you take the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine (Sandimmune) while being treated with Prednisone. Check with your doctor before combining Prednisone with Amphotericin B (Fungizone), Blood thinners (such as Coumadin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Estrogen drugs (such as Premarin), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Oral contraceptives, Phenobarbital (Donnatal, others), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Potent diuretics (such as Lasix), Rifampin (Rifadin), or Troleandomycin (Tao). Are there any special warnings about Prednisone? Do not get a smallpox vaccination or any other immunization while you are taking Prednisone. The vaccination might not "take," and could do harm to the nervous system. Prednisone may reactivate a dormant case of tuberculosis. If you have inactive TB and must take Prednisone for an extended time, you should be given anti-TB medication as well. If you have an underactive thyroid gland or cirrhosis of the liver, your doctor will probably need to prescribe Prednisone for you at a lower-than-average dosage. If you have an eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, Prednisone should be used with great caution. There is a potential danger that the cornea will become perforated. A few people taking Prednisone develop Kaposi's sarcoma, a form of cancer; it may disappear when the drug is stopped. Prednisone should also be taken with caution if you have any of the following conditions: Diverticulitis or other disorder of the intestine, High blood pressure, Kidney disorder, Myasthenia gravis, Osteoporosis, Peptic ulcer, and Ulcerative colitis. Long-term treatment with Prednisone may stunt growth. If Prednisone is given to a child, the youngster's growth should be monitored carefully. Diseases such as chickenpox or measles can be very serious or even fatal in both children and adults who are taking this drug. Try to avoid exposure to these diseases. |
|
|
Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
|
|
Copyright 2008 MyMedications.net. All rights reserved. |
|
